For the first time, more than half a million spectators attended matches throughout a thrilling season in the Challenge Cup last campaign, surpassing the previous best in the tournament set in 2016/17, with a year-on-year improvement of 17% at Rodney Parade and across the tournament as a whole.
A new landmark was also set for a tournament final attendance in the United Kingdom as 28,438 witnessed ASM Clermont Auvergne win a record-equalling third title with victory over La Rochelle.
Meanwhile, in the Heineken Champions Cup, the million mark was surpassed with a sell-out crowd of 51,930 packing into St James’ Park for last month’s final, which was screened across 170 countries, as Saracens took their third title.
The first steps on the Road to Marseille next season will be mapped out tomorrow with the 2019/20 Pool Draws in Lausanne which start at 1.00pm (UK and Irish time). CLICK HERE to find out more about who Dragons may face as their road to Marseille is mapped out tomorrow.
Almost 30,000 tickets have already been sold for club rugby’s greatest weekend which will conclude with the 25th tournament final. Weekend and individual match tickets are available at www.epcrugby.com/tickets
EPCR Chairman Simon Halliday, said: "The Heineken Champions Cup undoubtedly is the benchmark for club rugby around the world, featuring leading global stars in every single round. Fans have endorsed that view with their feet and with their remote controls thanks to the exceptional coverage and support of BT Sport, beIN SPORTS, France Télévisions, Channel 4, Virgin Media and NBC, as well as our various global broadcast partners. It all shows that European club rugby is going from strength to strength."
